Highlights of 2007, Movement Building in 2008

Highlights of 2007, Movement Building in 2008

As 2007 began, the Vermont Workers’ Center (VWC) was focused on keeping the momentum of the Burlington Livable City Coalition after the 2006 contract victories for Fletcher Allen nurses (UPV/AFT Local 5221), Burlington Teachers (BEA) and University of Vermont (UVM) Service & Maintenance workers (UE Local 267). We were still in the midst of a difficult struggle of COTS employees who ultimately had their right to organize denied by their administration and Board of Directors.

In February, we partnered with the Vermont Livable Wage Campaign to organize a Vermont Workers Rights Board Hearing with Bernie Sanders hearing testimony from dozens of people from a wide variety of workplace struggles fighting the economic “Race To The Bottom.” People working in education, construction, hospitality and factories all talked about the need to organize together to reverse the economic trends and combat corporate policies that hurt working people everywhere.

In March, we were working on our other main priority, which was training emerging workplace leaders. Twenty-five participants from over a dozen Burlington-area workplaces attended out first ever VWC Solidarity School, a skill-building three day training focused on organizing in the workplace.

In April, another event brought together many of struggles of 2007 when we mobilized a March for Livable Wages & Family Supporting Jobs in Burlington that started at HO Wheeler School with school support staff workers, then went down the retail and food service downtown sector of Church Street, some of whom were fighting for the Tipped Minimum Wage increase, then stopped outside a Verizon facility to join workers who were ramping up their fight to Stop The Sale to Fairpoint, before finally heading up to UVM where the Student Labor Action Project for the second year in a row had created a Tent City encampment in their struggle to create livable wage and right to organize policies at their university.

In honor of May Day, we held our 9th Anniversary Dinner and Celebration, which between breaking bread with the UVM hunger strikers, the inspirational Elaine Bernard and the moving speeches by Vermont members of the Iraq Veterans Against The War was truly a night to remember.

On June 12th, the Burlington Livable City Campaign mobilized for a huge turnout for the School Board meeting calling for livable wages. Also that month we partnered with Vermont Health Care For All and VPIRG to raise funds for hundreds of free tickets to uninsured Vermonters to see Michael Moore’s film “SiCKO.”

When July began, a large group of VWC members were in Georgia, as in Atlanta, GA comprising our big delegation to the first-ever US Social Forum in Atlanta (check out a very cool short video from the VT crew).

July ended with one of our biggest Steering Committee meetings to date on the Burlington Waterfront, and at that Summer Meeting we decided to turn our focus for August and much of September on the Stop The Sale of Verizon to Fairpoint Struggle affecting over 600 Vermont workers and thousands more in NH and ME organized with CWA and IBEW.

We got very familiar with the Vermont county fair circuit as we tabled to Stop The Sale all over the state. This was heating up Labor Day Weekend, when IBEW Local 2326 was tabling at the Champlain Fair, we were down at the Vermont State Fair in Rutland, we organized a big event at the Old Labor Hall in Barre, sent a crew to canvass to Stop The Sale in Northfield and still helped organize the 6th Annual Burlington Labor Day Celebration drawing 300+ people.

October 9th was a particularly busy, but fruitful day. First we mobililed members to join the Fletcher Allen nurses union for a rally to Save The Nurse Midwives and the FAHC midwifery program. Then that evening as part of the Livable City Coalition we brought another community delegation to the Burlington School Board demanding livable wages for support staff. With the help of this solidarity, by the end of that week, there had been two victorious settlements, as the midwifery program had been taken off the chopping block and the Burlington paraeducators got a livable wage agreement after years of struggle.

In November, as part of Vermont Labor Against The War, VWC members loaded into two vans to participate in the huge anti-war rally in Boston and a couple of days later joined the Burlington Education Association to celebrate the paraeducator livable wage contract ratification. On November 17th, the VWC opened its doors to the new Burlington office, and now we truly have a Center!

On December 10th, Intl Human Rights Day, we kept up the pressure on the Burlington School Board for livable wages for the rest of the support staff by holding a candlelight vigil outside their negotiations with food service workers. We also published the VWC 2008 People’s Calendar, which thanks to some gifted designers and hardwork researching dates and photo archives - truly came out amazing (we still have some left, order yours before they are all gone, very cool).

We closed out the year by holding a solidarity action protesting the demolition of public housing in New Orleans. And then the surprise big news came out, thanks to the hard work of the Verizon workers and many of you, and despite the hundreds of thousands spent of advertising and lobbying, the Vermont Public Service Board rejected the Verizon Sale! In NH and ME it passed, but once again Vermonters proved to be a tough bunch to fool. This fight isn’t over yet, but despite serious odds we pulled out a big victory in Round 1. The Verizon sale will still comeback with revisions to try to get approval (stay updated at www.stopthesalenow.org )

Now 2008 is here, there are huge challenges, but already there are signs working families have had enough and will organize for change. On Jan 3rd, we organized a press conference supporting 400+ workers (90% + who are women) at Stanley Associates in St. Albans who are organizing a union in response to massive speed-ups and wage cuts from this federal contractor. They are incredibly united, but will need everyone’s support (see photo and letter we sent to CEO).

If you hadn’t heard yet, we are coordinating a huge Jan 20-27 Week of Action which includes on January 26th helping organize a really huge event, Building A Worker Justice Movement in Burlington (it would be great if you pre-registered right nor on-line! And even greater if you got some others to do the same, download flyers). On January 28th we are organizing a citywide livable wage button-day in Burlington to support the rest of the Burlington school support staff. Starting in February we are holding the 2008 Solidarity School Training on Saturdays spread out through the winter (let us know if you are interested, email james [at] workerscenter.org )

Help us Build A Movement in 2008! Change is in Air!!

Community Calls On Stanley To Respect Workers' Rights

(Stanley workers speak at press conference in their St. Albans union office)

On Thursday, the Vermont Workers’ Center organized a press conference with workers at Stanley Associates in St. Albans who are organizing with the UE and and elected officials to release a public letter to Stanley to respect workers right to organize. The letter (text below), signed by US Senator Bernie Sanders and two dozen other Workers' Rights Board members, elected officials, local business owners and community leaders requests that Stanley not spend tax-dollar money on union-busting consultants and otherwise interfere with workers right to organize at its Vermont facilities employing over 400 Vermonters. Attending the press conference were Franklin State Senator Sara Kittell and State Representatives Kathleen Keenan and Jim Fitzgerald of St. Albans and Michel Consejo of Sheldon Springs, Vermont. Media coverage included WAMC - North Country Public Radio, WCAX News Channel 3 (link to transcript), WPTZ News Channel 5, St. Albans Messenger (read frontpage story here) and Channel 15 Community Public Access in St. Albans.

On December 27th, Stanley workers petitioned for a union election with the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE). See last Friday's lead cover story in the St. Albans Messenger.

Text of Community Letter:

January 3, 2008
Philip Nolan , CEO
Stanley Associates, Inc.
3101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700
Arlington, VA 22201
Fax: 802-527-4689, 703-683-0039

Dear Mr. Nolan:

We understand that workers now employed by Stanley Associates, Inc. are organizing and call upon you to respect their right to form a union without interference. We have heard workers concerned with cuts to pay and new management practices are exercising this basic human right to explore collective bargaining. We support them in this endeavor and request that Stanley not engage in anti-union activity or otherwise interfere with this process.

We have heard it reported that Stanley is very proud of being found a good employer by Fortune Magazine. We hope you will now act as a responsible employer and respect your employees’ right to organize. In receiving this latest $225 million government contract, Stanley has the responsibility to tax-payers not to waste any of this money on an anti-union campaign.

We have asked workers to keep us informed about their organizing efforts, and hope they will be able to report that their rights to make this decision have been respected.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Sincerely,

Bernie Sanders, US Senator

Ron Allard, Vermont State Representative, St. Albans, Vermont

Rabbi Joshua Chasan, Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Burlington, Vermont

Michel Consejo, Vermont State Representative, Sheldon Springs, Vermont

Hilary Denault-Reynolds, Owner-Operator Heroes Kingdom Store, St. Albans, Vermont

Joey Donovon, Vermont State Representative, Burlington, Vermont

James Fitzgerald, Vermont State Representative, St. Albans, Vermont

Gary Gilbert, Vermont State Representative, Fairfax, Vermont

Dan Green, Owner-Operator Greenstone Landscaping, St. Albans, Vermont

James Haslam, Vermont Workers’ Center, Director, Burlington, Vermont

Helen Head, Vermont State Representative, South Burlington, Vermont

Donna Howard, Owner Operator Eloquent Page Bookstore, St. Albans, Vermont

Richard Howrigan, Vermont State Representative, Fairfield, Vermont

Kathleen Keenan, Vermont State Representative, St. Albans, Vermont

Sara Kittell, Vermont State Senator, Fairfield, Vermont

Mark Larson, Vermont State Representative, Burlington, Vermont

Virginia Lyons, Vermont State Senator, Williston, Vermont

Mark MacDonald, Vermont State Senator, Williamstown, Vermont

Norman McAllister, Vermont State Representative, Franklin, Vermont

David McWilliams, AFSCME Local 1343, St. Albans, Vermont

Christopher Pearson, Vermont State Representative, Burlington, Vermont

Rebecca Smith, Burlington Education Association, President, Burlington, Vermont

Kristy Spengler, Vermont State Representative, Colchester, Vermont

Rachel Weston, Vermont State Representative, Burlington, Vermont

David Zuckerman, Vermont State Representative, Burlington, Vermont

HUD OFFICE SHUT DOWN: Solidarity Support For New Orleans Public Housing Fight

Today, members of the Vermont Workers' Center visited the Vermont offices of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to protest HUD's plans to demolish thousands of units of public housing in New Orleans, without guaranteeing former residents replacement housing or even allowing them a meaningful voice in the process of rebuilding affordable housing in New Orleans. It appears when HUD officials heard we were coming they shut down the whole office. When we arrived at 11am here's we found the office closed down, with a sign saying they would return at 4pm, yes 4pm!



We delivered this statement:

Just over two years ago, New Orleans was devastated by the lethal combination of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most powerful hurricanes in recent memory, and the blatantly racist and classist neglect of the federal government for the city's low-income, overwhelmingly African-American residents. In the wake of this disaster, and with the federal government seemingly abandoning its obligations to Gulf Coast residents, many Vermonters stepped up to do what we could. The City of Burlington adopted Moss Point, Mississippi as a sister city, Burlington’s Imani Center coordinated a truckload of donated food and household supplies, and many made the trek to New Orleans to work with grassroots organizations such as Food Not Bombs and Common Grounds.

For two years, federal, state and local governments have not lived up to their responsibilities to the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Hundreds of thousands of people are homeless or exiled. Instead of receiving the infrastructure and services to allow for the safe return of Gulf Coast residents, the region remains in ruins, peoples’ livelihoods destroyed and entire communities displaced. We are outraged that four large public housing complexes are to be destroyed in the city of New Orleans. We understand that this represents the demolition of over 4600 homes, while only 744 units are expected to be rebuilt. This comes at a time when 52,000 families throughout the Gulf Coast region are about to be forced out of trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Hundreds of people who have been kicked out of their homes are resisting these demolitions. They have had no say in the decision of HUD to destroy their homes, they have been barred from participating in their local city council meetings and pepper sprayed when they try to make their voices heard. As working-class Vermonters we stand in solidarity with these activists and demand an end to the destruction of public housing. Our city of Burlington, Vermont has long required that developers tearing down existing housing units replace them one-for-one, with strict guidelines about providing affordable housing. While this has not by itself solved the affordable housing crisis in Burlington, we believe it is a good principle, and we demand that HUD, at a minimum, adhere to it. We also strongly encourage our U.S. Senators to do everything they can to ensure passage of the Gulf Coast Recovery Act (SB 1668), which would require Gulf Coast recovery efforts to abide by these principles.

It is becoming increasingly clear that affordable housing is being eliminated all over the country. From the Old North End of Burlington Vermont to the 9th Ward of New Orleans we stand together to resist the process of gentrification. We are holding HUD responsible for this racist attack on poor black communities in New Orleans and demand that money spent on destruction be put towards rebuilding the affordable, public housing that was damaged over two years ago by Hurricane Katrina

After we delivered the statement we went outside and leafletted people in the community before taking two delegations to Senators Leahy and Sanders to push for their support of Gulf Coast Recovery Act.



We also got got some good media coverage including Channel 5 and Vermont Public Radio (hear interview with Workers' Center leader Jonathan Kissam on VPR news) and we were welcomed on to Burlington's newest community radio station, The Radiator. Here is Workers' Center Director James Haslam in the radio booth:



More info: on the struggle to defend public housing in New Orleans: www.defendneworleanspublichousing.org

More info on the Gulfcoast Recovery Act: www.gulfcoastrecover.com

REGISTER NOW: Jan 26th Building Worker Justice Movement

The Vermont Workers' Center is pleased to announce that on January 26, workers, students, educators and health care providers from around the state will be gathering at Building a Movement for Worker Justice.

This will be a three part conference, geared for working Vermonters, students and including our annual Justice For Healthcare Workers focus. It aims to build a stronger movement for workers' rights, livable wages, economic justice, quality healthcare for all and global solidarity. After the conference there will be a major rally and march as part of the Global Day of Action.

View agenda, download brochures and register at http://www.workerscenter.org/register/#jan26

REGISTER NOW (its free!)

Dec 10 Candlelight Vigil: Burlington Livable City Campaign

On Monday, December 10th, 2007 at 3:30 pm members of the Burlington Livable City Coalition, a community coalition that works to ensure Burlington is truly livable for all its resident, held a candlelight vigil outside AFSMCE/School District negotiations asking the school district to do the right thing and pay a livable wage (including members of VT Workers' Center, Livable Wage Campaign, BEA, SLAP, UVM United Staff, AFGE, and Laborers). December 10th is recognized by the United Nations as International Human Rights Day – this action helps to bring to light that workers’ rights are human rights. It is a human right for a worker to meet their basic needs of food, housing, transportation, child care, health care and clothing – being paid a livable wage will allow for this.

“It is fitting that this contract negotiation is happening on Human Rights Day, we will hold this candlelight vigil because having livable wages is a fundamental human right,” said James Haslam, Director of the Vermont Workers Center, which helps coordinate the Burlington Livable City Coalition. “When Burlington food service workers receive a livable wage that is a victory for the entire community, and we need to move to where every worker in Burlington and across Vermont gets paid a livable wage.”

For the past three years the Food Service workers in the Burlington School District, members of AFSMCE Local 1343, have fought to receive a livable wage. However, despite the recent livable wage victory of the para-educators and the Burlington Education Association (BEA), the Food Services workers remain in negotiations with the Burlington School District.

“After our recent livable wage victory it is more important then ever that the Burlington School District will do the right thing and pay the food service workers a livable wage for their valuable work,” said Donna Iverson, an Edmunds Elementary School para-educator and leader of their recent victory.

According to the Report on Livable Wages in Burlington Schools put out in June 2007 by the Peace and Justice Center’s, Vermont Livable Wage Campaign and the Vermont Workers Center, no food service workers make the hourly livable wage, 43% earn $8.59/hr or less in 2005-2006 school year, and 94% of food service workers are women.

“As the school district continues to confront the issue of poverty in our schools, it is imperative that they make sure their employees make enough to meet their basic needs,” says Colin Robinson, Director of the Peace and Justice Center’s Vermont Livable Wage Campaign. “If the children of your own food service workers make so little that they qualify for free or reduced price lunch, you know you have progress to make in combating poverty.”

AFSMCE Local 1343 and the Food Service workers have been in negotiations since their contract ended on June 30th, 2007. No agreement was reached, however, indiciations that a livable wage settlement could happen soon.

2008 People's Calendar now available

The 2008 People's Calendar celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Vermont Workers' Center and has great photos of workers' rights struggles and victories in VT from the past decade (like the cover shot is from the 2002 Fletcher Allen nurses union organizing victory!) Each month feautures inspiring social justice quotes and is loaded with Vermont and global historical dates celebrating the struggles and people that have shaped our world.

Get your copy today — order at our online store, come by our new space, or become a monthly sustainer and receive the calendar as a free gift.

Workers' Center to Join Worldwide Mobilizations January 26

On January 26, 2008, people around the world will take to the streets for a worldwide mobilization to demonstrate that "Another World Is Possible," and a determination to converge our many struggles — for workers' rights, against war, for climate justice and others — into one movement.

The Vermont Workers' Center has joined with the Vermont chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War and the Global Justice Ecology Project to initiate a "Call to Vermont Organizations" to participate in these mobilizations. We are proposing the themes of war, healthcare and climate change for a united public demonstration because we believe these are the three largest issues facing Vermonters today, but in keeping with the spirit of openness of the World Social Forum, from which the call for mobilizations originated, we are encouraging other organizations to plan additional events and activities during the week of January 21-27 around the theme that "another world is possible." Workshops, educational forums, direct actions, and social events are all encouraged.

To view the call, visit wsf2008vt.blogspot.com

We encourage Workers' Center members, supporters and allied organizations to:

1) Sign on to the call (as an organization or an individual) by emailing globaljustice [at] workerscenter [dot] org
2) Stay informed by signing up for the listserve (sign up at wsf2008vt.blogspot.com)
3) Propose (or plan) additional activities. The Workers' Center will publicize a comprehensive list of all activities during the week, so let us know what you're planning at globaljustice [at] workerscenter [dot] org

We have a real CENTER! Open House Party Nov. 17th

294 N. Winooski Ave (next to Imani), Burlington (sign coming soon, above added in Photoshop). [ more about the center | photos from November 17 housewarming party ]

We are very excited to have a real Vermont Workers' Center space and its in a great building with community partners like Imani Youth & Family Center, Center For Media & Democracy - Channel 17 and other great groups in the heart of the Old North End. We need your help and we would love to have you involved. Here's what you can do:

• Join the Workers' Center today, become a Sustainer and help support this work! Click here to do it secure online right now
• Seeking donations: Big dry-erase board, big conference table, comfy office chairs, big couch, shelves and newer computers and copiers.
• Also if you have any sweet old Workers' Center-related photos, send them to us, we're trying to collect stuff for our 10th Anniversary.

Thanks!!

SiCKO film & discussion at UVM Nov. 14th

Film: SiCKO film and Panel discussion about establishing a universal health care system [POST EVENT NOTE: Huge turnout, 350+, great job to all the organizers!!]
6:00pm, Weds, Nov 14th
CC Theater (Billings Theater), University of Vermont, Burlington
Free Admission and Food

A film by Michael Moore about the US health care system. Audiences across the country have said this is Moore's best film by far and have found it to be a must-see hillarious and scathing scathing critique of the health care system of the richest country in the world. Panel discussion about stories from the frontlines of our healthcare system and steps toward establishing longterm solutions. Panel includes Dr. Deb Richter from Vermont Health Care For All, Jennifer Henry, RN and President of the Fletcher Allen nurses union, and Carmyn Stanko, President of the UVM Service & Maintenance Workers UE Local 267.

Hosted by the Student Labor Action Project (SLAP) and Vermont Workers' Center
Other sponsors include: UVM United Academics, Students Against War, International Socialist Organization, and UVM Progressives

Tell Governor Douglas To Stop The Sale!

Citizens to deliver message to Governor Douglas:
“Don’t let Vermont take a wrong turn on the information superhighway!”

Who: Seniors, clergy, first responders, teachers, elected officials, and telephone workers

What: Short briefing at 10:30 AM for news media at the State House. Immediately afterwards, our group will present a wheelbarrow with thousands of post cards the Governor's office.

Where: State House, Cedar Creek Room, Montpelier, VT

When: 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Why: The movement opposing the proposed sale of Verizon to FairPoint is growing. With all public hearings concluded, opponents of the sale want to make sure that the Governor gets the message: Stop the Sale!

More information about why citizens are mobilizing to stop the sale of Verizon’s landlines to FairPoint is at: www.stopthesalenow.org and www.no-deal.org

Burlington para-educators livable wage victory

Statement made at the BEA press conference November 1, 2007
James Haslam, Director, Vermont Workers’ Center
The Vermont Workers’ Center is a statewide workers’ rights organization committed to fighting for workers’ rights. DO do this we work with folks across the state organizing in their workplaces and communities. What the Burlington Para-educators and the Burlington Education Association has been able to accomplish with this victory is extraordinary. This a livable wage victory translates directly into raising the standards in a profession that is sorely undervalued. Para-educators play a critical role in public education in this community and their contributions should be rewarded.
For the past year, we have helped coordinate the Burlington Livable City Coalition, a group of is community organizations and unions that works to make Burlington truly livable for all its residents. The City of Burlington has been nationally recognized for being one of the most “Livable Cities In the Country”, yet there are still thousands of families living in poverty and thousands of workers still being paid poverty wages. You cannot have a livable city without livable wages. We know our city will be a better city when all the jobs pay real livable wages, when the children of this city are not forced to grow up in poverty, and when people can live with basic dignity. The reason they call the labor movement a movement, is because one victory can inspire other victories. And we hope the food service and other Burlington School staff will be announcing their livable wage victory very soon. These victories will inspire other victories just like them.
The idea of livable wages is the basic principle of respect and what is just. If the job is worth doing than the person doing that job deserves to be able to make a living doing it. The only people I have ever known who do not believe that people should be paid livable wages are those who make far more than a livable wage. We look forward to more and more people getting involved, fighting for livable wages, and for working to make a truly livable community for all of our residents. Thank you and congratulations.

Workers' Center members join 10,000+ at Boston March Against The War

Over two dozen members of the Vermont Workers' Center and Vermont Labor Against The War marched in Boston on Saturday, October 27th as part of a national rallies against the war.

See more photos

See Boston Globe Story

Free Workers' Rights Seminar in Barre and VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Hotline On The Road: The Vermont Workers Center is taking its popular Workers Rights Hotline on the road.
We’ve invited officials from Vermont’s departments of Wage & Hour, Workers’ Compensation, and the Attorney General’s office to join the Hotline Staff in answering your questions about your rights at work.

Get Answers to your Questions about
- discrimination
- unpaid wages
- harassment
- work related injuries
- howyou can help build a workers' rights movement and more
More questions call the Vermont Workers' Rights Hotline at 866-229-0009.

Volunteers Needed: The Hotlline staff of the Vermont Workers Center is seeking 1 - 2 additional volunteers who would be willing to take a weekly or twice monthly shift on the hotline. Hotline volunteers take questions from workers over the phone and provide information about their rights at work, make referrals and sometimes offer other assistance. The Workers Center will provide training for anyone wishing to join the existing hotline crew of volunteers. We are especially interested in anyone who do a Saturday or Sunday shift once a week or twice a month but are also interested in recruiting another volunteer for a weekday shift. Shifts are two hours are may be done from either the Montpelier office or from Burlington.

The hotline staff is also looking for help leafletting downtown Barre and/or Montpelier any day from now until November 8. We are distributing fliers about the upcoming Hotline on the Road event scheduled for November 8 in Barre. Email hotline [at] workerscenter.org if you are interested in volunteering.

The VWC is also looking for folks to help paint its new Burlington office. Email james [at] workerscenter.org if you can help.

Benefit a success

Matt Howard from Iraq Veterans Against The War (IVAW) spoke powerfully at the IVAW and Workers' Center benefit show Friday night, where there was a big turnout despite some serious pouring rain outside. The weather delayed Bernie Sanders' flight home, but we had great music and a lot of fun.

Much thanks to everyone who came out in the rain to support the cause and special thanks to all the bands and Julie Winn and Brendan Hatch who organized the show! Stay tuned for some exciting Workers' Center news coming soon...

Friday Night at Metronome!

Doors open at 9pm! Come to dance and support the VT Workers' Center and Iraq Vets Against The War. If you haven't heard Matt Howard yet, don't miss this opportunity. Bernie will be there also, schedule permitting. Email james [at] workerscenter.org if you have any questions.

Burlington Para-educators Reach Tentative Agreement!

At 8:30pm on Friday, October 12th, the Burlington Education Association (BEA) and the Burlington School District reached a tentative contract agreement for Para-Educators. Details of the contract will be shared upon ratification.

“For the past three years, Burlington Para-Educators have been working to make livable wages a reality. On behalf of the BEA, I would like to thank the hundreds of community members who have attended school board meetings, contacted school board commissioners, attended rallies, marches, attended the Labor Day parade, signed petitions in support of livable wages, wrote letters to the newspapers, and in countless other ways, supported our campaign for livable wages for our Para-Educators,” says Rebecca Smith, BEA President. “We encourage the community to continue to support the other school employees still in negotiations. We’d like to especially thank the Vermont Workers’ Center, the Vermont Livable Wage Campaign, and the other participants in the Burlington Livable City Coalition. The BEA is committed to working in collaboration to make Burlington a truly livable city.”

Stay tuned for next steps to support the rest of the Burlington School support staff still in negotiations, which includes the food service and custodial and maintenance workers. Having livable wages for all Burlington School staff will be a huge step forward for our community.

Velan Valve Strike Over

The Velan Valve workers reached an agreement last night and went back to work today. Mark Nadeau, IAM Local 2704 union president, he said they reached a compromise on health care insurance, still a hike but not as big as the company wanted. Thank you to everyone who stopped by their picket line to demonstrate support (and all those who were planning on heading down today!)

Mark thought that he and other IAM Local 2704 union members would definitely be interested in joining the VWC Healthcare Action Committee to make health care publicly financed and a basic right for every Vermonter.

If you would also be interested in getting invovled with a VWC Healthcare Action Committee let us know, email james [at]workerscenter.org.

Also, two VWC members were in Peter Freyne's column in Seven Days this week. Jen Henry, RN and President of the Fletcher Allen nurses union and UPV/AFT and Matt Howard from Iraq Vets Against The War. Check it out, there's a photo of Jen.

http://www.sevendaysvt.com/columns.html

Support Striking Velan Valve Workers in Williston!

This week 113 workers Velan Valve in Williston, who members of International Aerospace Machinists Local 2704 went on strike. Their contract expired on October 7th and workers voted to strike the factory instead of letting the company almost triple their health insurance costs. Velan Valve is a worldwide manufacturer of valves and the largest sutomer of the Williston factory is the US Government.

PLEASE STOP BY THEIR PICKET LINE
Which is operating 24 hours a day until the strike settles.
Velan Valve Corp. is located at 94 Avenue C in Williston

See the story in the WCAX

Solidarity for Midwives and Burlington School Support Staff

Dozens of nurses and community supporters celebrate outside Fletcher Allen Board of Trustees meeting after agreement to 24/7 Midwifery Program was restored.



Community members, members of the Student Labor Action Project (SLAP), Vermont Livable Wage Campaign and Vermont Workers' Center attend Burlington School Board meeting to reiterate call for livable wages.

JOIN US TUESDAY For 2 Burlington Board Meetings

Fletcher Allen Trustees Meeting: Come show your support of the midwives and make sure the agreement is in place to keep the 24/7 midwifery program. The efforts of the community and nurses union has resulted in a tentative agreement (see the Free Press story ) ), now we need to make sure they follow through with it.

Burlington School Board Meeting: Its coming down to the wire, join us for this final push to establish livable wages for all school support staff. The best way to start fighting poverty and stopping paying poverty wages. Also, join us in supporting the proposal to take closing any of the Old North End elementary schools off the table